Accumulation and Dissolution of Magnetite Crystals in a Magnetically Responsive Ciliate.

ABSTRACT: Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) represent a group of microorganisms that are widespread in aquatic habitats and thrive at oxic-anoxic interfaces. They are able to scavenge high concentrations of iron thanks to the biomineralization of magnetic crystals in their unique organelles, the so-called magnetosome chains. Although their biodiversity has been intensively studied, their ecology and impact on iron cycling remain largely unexplored. Predation by protozoa was suggested as one of the ecological processes that could be involved in the release of iron back into the ecosystem. Magnetic protozoa were previously observed in aquatic environments, but their diversity and the fate of particulate iron during grazing are poorly documented. In this study, we report the morphological and molecular char

SUBMITTER: Monteil CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5881073 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature